When you finally gear up and head out to your favorite campground, it’s important to remember a couple of DIY camping hacks to make sure everything goes smoothly.
These top 15 hacks ensure that you will be able to save money and be more comfortable and safer.
Learn the Bowline Knot
One of the most convenient knots to learn, any camper or explorer should learn the bowline knot. The bowline is among the most secure and easiest knots to be learned and can be used as a rescue knot to haul out your friend, to tie a tarp up over your tent, or to climb or scramble.
Fend off Mosquitoes With Sage
Nobody wants to share their campsite with mosquitoes, and one of the easiest and most natural ways to keep them flying far away from you is by burning sage. Many other herbs work to some extent as well, like rosemary and basil.
No Kindling? Use Doritos
If you can’t find any good kindling to get your fire burning, one of your favorite chips can get the fire going. Doritos and other corn chips burn exceptionally well and can be used in a pinch. Using a fire starter is definitely easier, but hey, using chips is a lot more fun!
Use Old Tic-Tac Boxes for Your Spices
Who said that you need to sacrifice taste when you cook at a campsite? Saving space is key for any trip, so re-use old tic-tac boxes to store spices when you travel. With this hack, keep your cayenne pepper, nutmeg, pepper, garlic salt, or whatever you like, right where you can get it.
Create an Outdoor Toiletry Kit
Especially useful the further you go from civilization, creating a quick outdoor toiletry kit will make any of your camping experiences a little more comfortable. In a small container, pack away anything you think you’ll need. Some recommended ideas:
- Mini toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Floss
- Q-Tips
- Sanitary wipes
- Soap
- Shampoo
- Toilet paper
Save Money by Making Your Own Ice
There is no need to waste money on ice when you can make your own with old milk or water jugs. For this DIY camping hack, fill your gallon jugs with water and leave them in your freezer before your trip. When you are ready to go camping, drop them in the cooler to keep all your food nice and cold for no extra price.
Waterproof Your Matches With Nail Polish
Dropping matches into a lake can be incredibly frustrating and put you in a terrible position. Water-resistant matches get pricey. Fortunately, one of the best cost-saving hacks is to lightly dip your matches into nail polish and then blow dry them. Next time you accidentally drop them into a puddle or anything, you’ll manage just fine.
Keep Spare Duct Tape Wrapped Around Your Lighter
There is no question about the number of uses for duct tape. However, rolls are bulky and cumbersome to keep with you at all times. Wrap a couple of feet of duct tape around your lighter so if you find yourself in a pinch, you’ll have plenty right in your pocket. You can do the same thing with your water bottles instead.
Pack an Emergency First-Aid Kit in an Old Pill Bottle
Nobody wants to get hurt when they are out in the woods, but this DIY camping hack will make sure you’re prepared to deal with a minor injury. Bandaids, some gauze, and antibacterial cream can fit easily in the small, waterproof pill bottle. Make sure to peel off any personal information or tags on the prescription.
Ready-To-Make Pancake Mix
Who wouldn’t enjoy pancakes over the campfire? Prepare ahead of time by filling a plastic bag, water bottle, or mason jar with pre-made pancake mix, shortening, and dry milk.
The ingredients do not have to be kept refrigerated, so just shake, pour, and enjoy. Depending on your environment and regulations, you can even supplement your pancakes with fresh, foraged blueberries or strawberries.
Pack Dry Clothes at the Bottom of Your Sleeping Bag
Nobody wants to sleep with cold feet. Not only is it incredibly uncomfortable, but in some climates, it can even be dangerous. Stuff the bottom of your sleeping bag with your dry clothes to soak up any of the moisture around your feet and keep yourself warm.
You can even take this camping DIY hack to the next level by stuffing water bottles full of hot or warm water in your sleeping bag. Just make sure you seal the cap, because the only thing worse than cold feet is wet feet!
Make an Emergency Whistle With an Acorn Cap
If you find yourself lost, forage for an old acorn to make a whistle which is much louder than your own. For this DIY hack, pull the brown cap off of the top of a wild acorn.
Make sure it is not cracked or deformed. Hold the acorn cap between your thumb and index finger with the inside of the cap facing you making a triangle. Then blow into it! Bursts of three is the international sign of distress.
Avoid Shattered Eggs by Using Water Bottles
It’s difficult to keep your eggs from being scrambled before breakfast when you’re cruising through bumpy dirt roads in your RV, hiking a couple of miles to your site, or hopping in and out of your canoe.
One DIY hack is to crack your eggs ahead of time and pour them into a water bottle so you don’t have egg yolk and shells all over your cooler if they shatter. A standard water bottle will hold around eight eggs, plus no need to whisk!
Repel Ants With Grits
Nobody wants to have an ant problem in their campsite. A simple and safe method is by using grits. Wherever you find ants in your camp, sprinkle some grits to scare them away from your camp and food.
Make a Toiletry Lanyard
Another way to keep all your shower and toiletries handy is by attaching small shampoo, conditioner, soap, and other bottles to a key ring. Hang them by a lanyard around the showerhead for easy use. On your way to and from the shower facilities, a lanyard around your neck is a lot more comfortable and easier than carrying a shower caddy!
